Hood hinge assembly for vehicle

ABSTRACT

A hood hinge assembly for operatively attaching a hood to a vehicle includes a base adapted to be operatively fixed to the vehicle. The hood hinge assembly also includes a mount bar adapted for pivotal attachment to the hood at a first pivot point. The hood hinge assembly includes a lever bar pivotally attached to the mount bar at a second pivot point and pivotally attached to the base at a third pivot point. The hood hinge assembly further includes an actuator operable to pivot the lever bar about the third pivot point to thereby move the first pivot point away from the vehicle.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to hinges and, moreparticularly, to a hood hinge assembly for a vehicle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is known to attach a hood to a body of a vehicle with a hinge. Inmany vehicles, the hood hinge allows the hood to be selectively openedfor access to an engine and other components in an engine compartment ofthe vehicle.

However, a hood that is attached with a conventional hinge has severaldisadvantages. For instance, if an object impacts the vehicle, thatobject may ultimately impact the hood. Kinetic energy of the object islikely to dissipate by indirect impact with the vehicle engine block,which is typically directly underneath the hood. Indirect impact withthe engine in this manner is likely to harm the object. Therefore, aneed developed for a hood that could move the hood away from the engineblock during a collision such that an impacted object is more likely todeform the hood to dissipate kinetic energy.

Partially in response to this need, hood hinge assemblies have beendeveloped that pivotally attach the hood to the vehicle and that may bedeployed to move the hood away from the engine block. However, thesehinges can move the hood substantially in the fore and aft directioninstead of moving the hood more directly vertical away from the vehiclebody. Furthermore, these hood hinge assemblies can be relativelyunstable when deployed such that the hood moves in an undesired manner.Furthermore, these movable hinges can be bulky and therefore difficultto incorporate into a vehicle because they can interfere with othercomponents.

Thus, it is desirable to provide an improved movable hinge that movesthe hood in a substantially vertical direction away from the vehiclebody. It is also desirable to provide a hood hinge assembly that is morestable during deployment. It is further desirable to provide a hoodhinge assembly that is more compact.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention is a hood hinge assembly foroperatively attaching a hood to a vehicle body of a vehicle including abase adapted to be operatively fixed to the vehicle body. The hood hingeassembly also includes a mount bar adapted for pivotal attachment to thehood at a first pivot point. The hood hinge assembly includes a leverbar pivotally attached to the mount bar at a second pivot point andpivotally attached to the base at a third pivot point. The hood hingeassembly further includes an actuator operable to pivot the lever barabout the third pivot point to thereby move the first pivot point awayfrom the vehicle. The hood hinge assembly includes a support barpivotally attached to the mount bar at a fourth pivot point. The supportbar is operable to support the mount bar at the fourth pivot point asthe mount bar pivots about the second pivot point.

One advantage of the present invention is that a new hood hinge assemblyis provided for a vehicle for moving a hood of the vehicle away from abody of the vehicle. Another advantage of the present invention is thatthe hood hinge assembly moves the hood in a substantially verticaldirection away from the body of the vehicle. Yet another advantage ofthe present invention is that the hood hinge assembly is substantiallyrobust and maintains substantially stable movement when deploying. Stillanother advantage of the present invention is that the hood hingeassembly is substantially compact such that the hood hinge assembly canbe incorporated into the vehicle and is less likely to interfere withother components.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will be readilyappreciated, as the same becomes better understood, after reading thesubsequent description taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an elevational view of a hood hinge assembly, according to thepresent invention, illustrated in operational relationship with avehicle in an extended and a retracted position.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the hood hinge assembly of FIG. 1illustrated in a retracted position.

FIG. 3 is an elevational view of the hood hinge assembly of FIG. 1illustrated in the retracted position and illustrated with a hood of thevehicle in an opened and closed position.

FIG. 4 is an elevational view of the hood hinge assembly of FIG. 1illustrated in an extended position.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to the drawings and in particular FIG. 1, one embodiment of ahood hinge assembly 10, according to the present invention, is shown fora vehicle such as a motor vehicle, generally indicated at 12. Suchvehicles 12 typically include a body 14 (partially shown) forming anengine compartment 16. The engine compartment 16 has a recess 18 inwhich an engine, schematically shown at 19, can be disposed. The vehicle12 also includes a hood 20 that closes and opens the recess 18. The hood20 is operatively attached to the vehicle 12 by at least one, andpreferably a plurality of laterally spaced hood hinge assemblies 10. Itshould be appreciated that only one hood hinge assembly 10 isillustrated in FIG. 1 and will be subsequently described. It should alsobe appreciated that, except for the hood hinge assembly 10, the vehicle12 is conventional and known in the art.

The hood hinge assembly 10 is adapted for pivotal attachment to the hood20 at a first pivot point 22. In the embodiment illustrated, the firstpivot point 22 is located on a rear corner 24 of the hood 20. The hood20 also includes a striker 26 illustrated in FIG. 1. In the embodimentillustrated, the striker 26 is longitudinally spaced from the firstpivot point 22 and is located on a front end 28 of the hood 20. When thehood 20 is in a closed position (shown in phantom lines in FIG. 1), thehood 20 generally covers the recess 18. In this position, the striker 26is secured to the body 14 by a latch assembly 30 attached to the body14. The hood 20 is opened by releasing the striker 26 from the latchassembly 30 and pivotally moving the hood 20 about the first pivot point22.

The hood hinge assembly 10 can be positioned in a retracted position(shown in phantom lines in FIG. 1), and an extended position (shown insolid lines in FIG. 1). In the retracted position, the hood hingeassembly 10 retains the first pivot point 22 generally adjacent the body14 for normal opening and closing of the hood 20 as previouslydescribed. In the extended position, the hood hinge assembly 10generally moves the first pivot point 22 away from the body 14 such thatthe hood 20 pivots about the striker 26, which remains secured to thelatch assembly 30.

The vehicle 12 also includes at least one sensor 32, shown schematicallyin FIG. 1. The sensor 32 is operable to detect when the vehicle 12impacts an object. The sensor 32 is in communication with a controller34, also shown schematically in FIG. 1. The controller 34 is inelectrical communication with the sensor 32. The controller 34 isoperable to receive a signal from the sensor 32, indicating that anobject (not shown) has impacted the vehicle 12. In response, thecontroller 34 transmits a signal to an actuator which fires, causing thehood hinge assembly 10 to move from the retracted position to theextended position in a manner to be described. It should be appreciatedthat the hood hinge assembly 10 creates space between the hood 20 andthe engine 19 such that if an object impacts the vehicle 12, the objectcan more readily deform the hood 20 to dissipate kinetic energy.

As illustrated in FIGS. 2 through 4, the hood hinge assembly 10 includesa base 36. The base 36 is a plate that is bent so as to define a firstportion 38 and second portion 40. The second portion 40 is substantiallyperpendicular to the first portion 38. The first portion 38 includes aplurality of apertures 42 (FIG. 2) used to operatively fix the base 36to the body 14 by a suitable mechanism such as fasteners (not shown). Itshould be appreciated that the base 36 could be integral to the body 14.

The hood hinge assembly 10 also includes a mount bar 44. The mount bar44 is generally elongate and is adapted for pivotal attachment to thehood 20. The mount bar 44 defines a first end 46 and the rear corner 24of the hood 20 is pivotally attached to the first end 46 to define thefirst pivot point 22 of the hood 20. The mount bar 44 can include anysuitable component for pivotally attaching to the hood 20 at the firstpivot point 22, such as a hinge pivot weld nut (not shown).

The hood hinge assembly 10 includes a lever bar 48. The lever bar 48 isgenerally flat and elongate so as to define a first end 50, a second end52, a first side 54 (FIG. 2), and a second side 56. The first end 50 ofthe lever bar 48 is pivotally attached to the mount bar 44 so as todefine a second pivot point 58. The axis of the second pivot point 58extends through a middle portion 60 (FIGS. 3 and 4) of the mount bar 44,and the mount bar 44 is adjacent the first side 54 of the lever bar 48.The second end 52 of the lever bar 48 is pivotally attached to thesecond portion 40 of the base 36 so as to define a third pivot 62. Thesecond portion 40 of the base 36 is substantially coplanar and adjacentto the first side 54 of the lever bar 48. The lever bar 48 may includeany suitable component for pivotally attaching to the mount bar 44 andthe base 36. In the embodiment illustrated, the mount bar 44 isrestricted against substantially all linear movement relative to thelever bar 48 at the second pivot point 58. Likewise, the lever bar 48 isrestricted against substantially all linear movement relative to thebase 36 at the third pivot point 62. It should be appreciated that thehood hinge assembly 10 is more stable when moving from the retractedposition toward the extended position.

The hood hinge assembly 10 also includes a retainer bar 64. The retainerbar 64 is generally planar and is fixed to the base 36. In theembodiment illustrated, the retainer bar 64 is integrally attached tothe base 36 and extends perpendicularly from the first portion 38 of thebase 36. The retainer bar 64 is operable to be secured to the lever bar48 to thereby retain the lever bar 48 against pivoting about the thirdpivot point 62. In the embodiment illustrated, the retainer bar 64includes an aperture 66 (FIG. 4) extending through the retainer bar 64.The lever bar 48 also includes an aperture 70 that is aligned with theaperture 66 when the hood hinge assembly 10 is in the retractedposition.

The hood hinge assembly 10 further includes a pin 72 (FIG. 3). When thehood hinge assembly 10 is in the retracted position, the pin 72 extendsthrough both the aperture 66 (FIG. 4) of the retainer bar 64 and theaperture 70 of the lever bar 48 to thereby secure the lever bar 48 tothe retainer bar 64. The pin 72 is also operable to release the leverbar 48 so that the lever bar 48 is free to pivot about the third pivotpoint 62 and move the hood hinge assembly 10 toward the extendedposition.

The hood hinge assembly 10 also includes an actuator 74 (FIG. 2). Theactuator 74 is operable to pivot the lever bar 48 about the third pivotpoint 62 to move the hood hinge assembly 10 from the retracted positiontoward the extended position. In the embodiment illustrated, the leverbar 48 includes an attachment flange 76 disposed at the first end 50 ofthe lever bar 48 and extending perpendicularly away from the: secondside 56 of the lever bar 48. The actuator 74 is operatively attached tothe attachment flange 76, such as by a pivotal attachment. The actuator74 is operable to supply an actuation force to the lever bar 48 tothereby pivot the lever bar 48 about the third pivot point 62. Theactuator 74 may be of any suitable type, such as a piston slidablyattached to a cylinder or a bellows chamber, which expands due to airintroduced into the actuator 74. In one embodiment, the actuation forceprovided by the actuator 74 is sufficient to destruct the pin 72. Inanother embodiment, the actuator 74 applies a biasing force to the leverbar 48 away from the base 36 even when the hood hinge assembly 10 is inthe retracted position, and hood hinge assembly 10 moves to the extendedposition only when the pin 72 destructs by some independent mechanism.Also, in one embodiment, the actuator 74 continues to apply force to thelever bar 48 when the hood hinge assembly 10 is in the extended positionto hold the hood 20 away from the body 14 during a vehicular collision.

In the embodiment illustrated, at least one of the base 36 and lever bar48 defines a curved slot 78, and the other of the base 36 and lever bar48 includes a pin 80 that is disposed within the curved slot 78 as thelever bar 48 pivots about the third pivot point 62. In the embodimentillustrated, the lever bar 48 includes a curved leg 82 extending fromthe second end 52 of the lever bar 48 and downward toward the base 36.The curved slot 78 is formed in the leg 82. The pin 80 is fixed to thesecond portion 40 of the base 36. The pin 80 is disposed within thecurved slot 78 when the hood hinge assembly 10 is in the retractedposition, and as the lever bar 48 pivots about the third pivot point 62,the pin 80 remains inside the curved slot 78. It should be appreciatedthat abutment between the pin 80 and the curved slot 78 guides andsupports the movement of the lever bar 48.

The hood hinge assembly 10 also includes a support bar 86. The supportbar 86 is generally planar and elongate. The support bar 86 includes afirst portion 88 and a second portion 90. The second portion 90 isdisposed at a positive angle relative to the first portion 88. The firstportion 88 of the support bar 86 is pivotally attached to the mount bar44 at a fourth pivot point 92. The second portion 90 is pivotallyattached to the second portion 40 of the base 36 at a fifth pivot point94. The support bar 86 is generally disposed between the lever bar 48and the first portion 38 of the base 36. In the embodiment illustrated,the support bar 86 is restricted against substantially all linearmovement relative to the mount bar 44 at the fourth pivot point 92.Likewise, the support bar 86 is restricted against substantially allliner movement relative to the base 36 at the fifth pivot point 94. Itshould be appreciated that the hood hinge assembly 10 is more stablewhen moving from the retracted position toward the extended position.

When the hood hinge assembly 10 is in the retracted position, thesupport bar 86 substantially restricts the mount bar 44 from pivotingabout the second pivot point 58. Also, as the hood hinge assembly 10moves toward the extended position, the support bar 86 supports themount bar 44 by pushing and/or pulling the mount bar 44 at the fourthpivot point 92 as the mount bar 44 pivots about the second pivot point58. By supporting the mount bar 44 in this manner, the support bar 86maintains the mount bar 44 in a position substantially perpendicular tothe first portion 38 of the base 36 as the hood hinge assembly 10 movestoward the extended position such that the first pivot point 22 moves ina substantially arcuate path in a vertical direction to pivot about thestriker 26. It should be appreciated that the rear corner 24 of the hood20 lifts higher away from the body 14 due to the support bar 86.

The hood hinge assembly 10 also includes at least one stop memberoperable to limit pivotal movement of the mount bar 44 about the secondpivot point 58. In the embodiment illustrated, there is a plurality ofstop members to be described that each limits the pivotal movement ofthe mount bar 44. As will be explained in greater detail below, each ofthe stop members cause the first pivot point 22 to move in apredetermined direction as the hood hinge assembly 10 moves from theretracted position toward the extended position, thereby moving the hood20 of the vehicle 12 in a predetermined manner.

In the embodiment illustrated, one stop member is an abutment member 84operable to abut against the mount bar 44 to thereby limit pivotalmovement of the mount bar 44 above the second pivot point 58. In theembodiment illustrated, the lever bar 48 supports the abutment member84. More specifically, the abutment member 84 is a portion of the leverbar 48 at the first end 50 that is integrally attached to the lever bar48 at both ends and with a middle portion that bends outward from thefirst side 54 of the lever bar 48 (FIG. 2). The abutment member 84 isoriented relative to the mount bar 44 such that the mount bar 44eventually abuts against the abutment member 84 as the mount bar 44pivots about the second pivot point 58 as illustrated in FIG. 4.

In the embodiment illustrated, another stop member is an abutmentsurface 96 included on the lever bar 48. As illustrated in FIGS. 3 and4, the abutment surface 96 is generally curved and projects from thelever bar 48 toward the support bar 86. As the hood hinge assembly 10moves from the retracted position towards the extended position, thesupport bar 86 will eventually abut against the abutment surface 96 ofthe lever bar 48. It should be appreciated that the abutment surface 96and the abutment member 84 cooperate to limit the pivotal movement ofthe mount bar 44 about the second pivot point 58.

As the hood hinge assembly 10 moves toward the extended position, theabutment surface 96 abuts against the support bar 86, and the abutmentmember 84 abuts against the mount bar 44, to hold the hood hingeassembly 10 against the force applied by the actuator 74. In oneembodiment, the abutment surface 96 and the abutment member 84 limit themount bar 44 in a substantially perpendicular position in relation tothe base 36 such that the first pivot point 22 increases the distancebetween the rear corner 24 of the hood 20 and the body 14. It shouldalso be appreciated that, in another embodiment, the relationshipbetween the mount bar 44 and the base 36 may be adjusted such that themount bar 44 is at an angle relative to the base 36.

In operation of the hood hinge assembly 10, when the sensor 32 of thevehicle 12 detects a vehicular impact, the sensor 32 sends a signal tothe controller 34. The controller 34, in turn, sends a signal to theactuator 74, and the actuator 74 supplies a force to the lever bar 48 ofthe hood hinge assembly 10. Force from the actuator 74 causesdestruction of the pin 72, thereby freeing the lever bar 48 for pivotalmovement about the third pivot point 62 such that the hood hingeassembly 10 can move from the retracted position towards the extendedposition. As the lever bar 48 moves away from the body 14 of the vehicle12, the lever bar 48 moves the mount bar 44, and thus the rear corner 24of the hood 20, away from the body 14. As the mount bar 44 moves awayfrom the body 14 of the vehicle 12, the support bar 86 maintains themount bar 44 in a substantially perpendicular position relative to thebase 36 such that the first pivot point 22 moves in a substantiallyvertical direction away from the body 14. Also, as the hood hingeassembly 10 approaches the extended position, the abutment member 84 andthe abutment surface 96 cooperate to limit the rotation of the mount bar44 about the second pivot point 58 and maintain the mount bar 44substantially perpendicular to the base 36. It should be appreciatedthat the first pivot point 22 travels in a substantially verticaldirection away from the body 14 of the vehicle 12 for increased spacebetween the rear corner 24 of the hood 20 and the engine 19. It shouldalso be appreciated that an object that impacts the vehicle 12 is morelikely to deform the hood 20 and dissipate kinetic energy due to thehood hinge assembly 10 of the present invention.

The hood hinge assembly 10 of the present invention is substantiallyrobust and maintains substantially stable movement. This is because thefirst, second, third, fourth, and fifth pivot points 22, 58, 62, 92, 94each allow for pivotal movement, but are each restricted from linearmovement. Also, the pin 80 and curved slot 78 add further support to thehood hinge assembly 10. The hood hinge assembly 10 is also substantiallycompact. Thus, the hood hinge assembly 10 can be more easilyincorporated into a vehicle 12 without interfering with othercomponents.

The present invention has been described in an illustrative manner. Itis to be understood that the terminology, which has been used, isintended to be in the nature of words of description rather than oflimitation.

Many modifications and variations of the present invention are possiblein light of the above teachings. Therefore, within the scope of theappended claims, the present invention may be practiced other than asspecifically described.

1. A hood hinge assembly for operatively attaching a hood to a vehiclecomprising: a base adapted to be operatively fixed to the vehicle; amount bar adapted for pivotal attachment to the hood at a first pivotpoint; a lever bar pivotally attached to said mount bar at a secondpivot point and pivotally attached to said base at a third pivot point;an actuator operable to pivot said lever bar about said third pivotpoint to thereby move said first pivot point away from the vehicle; anda support bar pivotally attached to said mount bar at a fourth pivotpoint, said support bar operable to support said mount bar at saidfourth pivot point as said mount bar pivots about said second pivotpoint.
 2. A hood hinge assembly as set forth in claim 1 furthercomprising at least one abutment member operable to abut against saidmount bar to limit pivotal movement of said mount bar about said secondpivot point.
 3. A hood hinge assembly as set forth in claim 2 whereinsaid at least one abutment member is supported by said lever bar.
 4. Ahood hinge assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said lever bar isrestricted against substantially all linear movement relative to saidbase at said third pivot point.
 5. A hood hinge assembly as set forth inclaim 1 wherein said actuator is operatively attached to said lever bar.6. A hood hinge assembly as set forth in claim 1 further comprising anabutment surface included on said lever bar and operable to abut againstsaid support bar to thereby limit pivotal movement of said mount barabout said second pivot point.
 7. A hood hinge assembly as set forth inclaim 1 further comprising a retainer bar fixed to said base andoperable to be secured to said lever bar to thereby retain said leverbar against pivotal movement about said third pivot point.
 8. A hoodhinge assembly as set forth in claim 7 further comprising a pin operableto secure said lever bar to said retainer bar and also operable torelease said lever bar for pivoting about said third pivot point.
 9. Ahood hinge assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein at least one of saidbase and said lever bar defines a curved slot and the other of said baseand said lever bar includes a pin disposed within said curved slot assaid lever bar pivots about said third pivot point.
 10. A hood hingeassembly for operatively attaching a hood to a vehicle comprising: abase adapted to be operatively fixed to the vehicle; a mount bar adaptedfor pivotal attachment to the hood at a first pivot point; a lever barpivotally attached to said mount bar at a second pivot point andpivotally attached to said base at a third pivot point, wherein saidlever bar is restricted against substantially all linear movementrelative to said base at said third pivot point; an actuator operativelyattached to said lever bar and operable to pivot said lever bar aboutsaid third pivot point to thereby move said first pivot point in anarcuate path away from the vehicle; and at least one stop memberoperable to limit pivotal movement of said mount bar about said secondpivot point.
 11. A hood hinge assembly as set forth in claim 10 whereinsaid at least one stop member is an abutment member operable to abutagainst said mount bar to thereby limit pivotal movement of said mountbar about said second pivot point.
 12. A hood hinge assembly as setforth in claim 10 further comprising a support bar that is pivotallyattached to said mount bar at a fourth pivot point, said support baroperable to support said mount bar at said fourth pivot point as saidmount bar pivots about said second pivot point.
 13. A hood hingeassembly as set forth in claim 12 wherein said at least one stop memberis an abutment surface included on said lever bar and operable to abutagainst said support bar to thereby limit pivotal movement of said mountbar about said second pivot point.
 14. A hood hinge assembly as setforth in claim 10 further comprising a retainer bar fixed to said baseand operable to be secured to said lever bar to thereby retain saidlever bar against pivoting about said third pivot point.
 15. A hoodhinge assembly as set forth in claim 14 further comprising a pinoperable to secure said lever bar to said retainer bar and also operableto release said lever bar for pivoting about said third pivot point. 16.A hood hinge assembly as set forth in claim 10 wherein at least one ofsaid base and said lever bar defines a curved slot and the other of saidbase and said lever bar includes a pin disposed within said curved slotas said lever bar pivots about said third pivot point.
 17. A vehiclecomprising: a body; a hood; at least one base operatively fixed to saidbody; at least one mount bar adapted for pivotal attachment to said hoodat a first pivot point; at least one lever bar pivotally attached tosaid at least one mount bar at a second pivot point and pivotallyattached to said at least one base at a third pivot point; at least oneactuator operable to pivot said at least one lever bar about said thirdpivot point to thereby move said first pivot point in an arcuate pathaway from said body; at least one support bar pivotally attached to saidat least one mount bar at a fourth pivot point and pivotally attached tosaid at least one base at a fifth pivot point, said at least one supportbar operable to support said at least one mount bar at said fourth pivotpoint as said at least one mount bar pivots about said second pivotpoint; and at least one abutment member supported by said at least onelever bar and operable to abut against said at least one mount bar tothereby limit pivotal movement of said at least one mount bar about saidsecond pivot point.
 18. A vehicle as set forth in claim 17 furthercomprising at least one abutment surface included on said at least onelever bar and operable to abut against said at least one support bar tothereby limit pivotal movement of said at least one mount bar about saidsecond pivot point.
 19. A vehicle as set forth in claim 17 furthercomprising at least one retainer bar fixed to said at least one base andoperable to be secured to said at least one lever bar to thereby retainsaid lever bar against pivoting about said third pivot point.
 20. Avehicle as set forth in claim 19 further comprising at least one pinoperable to secure said at least one lever bar to said at least oneretainer bar and also operable to release said at least one lever barfor pivoting about said third pivot point.